The
employment of non-Jamaicans in Jamaica is governed by the
Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment)
Act, 1964, which seeks to ensure that qualified Jamaicans
are given first consideration in employment opportunities.
At the same time, it is recognized that the expertise needed
for economic development is not always available because
of shortage in the supply of certain special skills. All
foreigners employed in Jamaica must inform the Ministry
of Labour of a change of residence from one parish to another.

Non-Jamaicans
seeking employment in Jamaica are required to obtain work
permits.

Apply
to: Minister of Labour
1F North Street, Kingston
Jamaica, WI

Commonwealth Citizens may apply for work permits after arrival
in Jamaica. Relatives of these individuals who are over
18 years of age, with special skills, may also apply for
work permits.Non-Commonwealth citizens must apply for a
work permit prior to arrival in Jamaica. United States citizens
are considered non-Commonwealth citizens (i.e. foreigners
or aliens) since the United States of America is not a member
country of the British Commonwealth. United States citizens
are therefore required to ensure that work permits are obtained
before applying for work visas at either a Jamaican Embassy
or Consulate.

Application
forms, obtainable at the Government Printing Office, must
be completed, signed and submitted by the prospective employer
and must be accompanied by the required documentation including
proof by the prospective employer that the vacancy was advertised
and did not attract any suitably qualified Jamaicans.

Work
Visas

Work visas are issued solely on the basis of evidence of
a confirmed job offer. Documentation to be presented on
application in this regard are:

valid
national passport

original
letter from organization affirming job offer

original
work permit approval signed by or on behalf of the
Minister of Labour, and

completed
visa application form accompanied by one (1) passport-size
photograph

visa
fee

All individuals are landed at the discretion of the Immigration
Officer. In this connection they are required to have on arrival
return tickets (open tickets are advisable) and valid passports
with the appropriate Jamaican visa. Individuals who arrive
in Jamaica from countries where there are no Jamaican visa-issuing
authorities must also present a letter from the Minister of
Labour approving the work permit application. Upon landing,
all prospective employees must, prior to taking up their employment,
take the letter, along with travel documents (including airline
ticket), to the Immigration, Citizenship and Passport Office
located at 25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10, Jamaica,
which will endorse the passport for the duration of the work
permit and issue a certificate to the Ministry of Labour,
on the basis of which the work permit will be released. The
work permit is validated at the discretion of the Minister
of Labour.

Please
be advised that if the passport expires within the period
for which the work permit was granted, the endorsement will
cover only the period for which the passport is valid.

Employment

Foreign nationals who want to work in Jamaica, are required
to obtain a work permit that is granted at the discretion
of the Ministry of Labour in Jamaica. The permit should be
obtained prior to arrival in Jamaica.

Contact:Ministry of Labour
1F North Street
Kingston, Jamaica

Visas
are issued by Jamaican Consular officials only after confirmation
that a work permit has been issued to the applicant.

Exemptions from Visa or Work
Permit:

Heads of Mission and members of staff accredited to Jamaica
are exempt from Work Permit. VISA REQUIRED

Direct
transit and transit passengers

United
States, German, and Canadian Peace Corps personnel are
exempt from work permit and registration. VISA REQUIRED

Persons
employed by the United Nations with Laissez Passer are
exempt from visa and work permit

Persons
employed by owners or operators of aircrafts operated
on an international service and have landed in Jamaica
to perform duties on said aircrafts are exempt from visa,
work permit, and registration

Directors,
inspectors, and auditors of any company who operate a
branch in Jamaica may stay for a period of up to fourteen
(14) days within one calendar year without visa and work
permit

Persons
employed in any Ministry or Department of the Government
of Jamaica may be exempted

Writers,
journalists, broadcasters, sculptors and painters (excluding
industrial painters) may stay for varying periods of up
to thirty (30) days in one calendar year with work permit
exemption, subject to the approval of the JIS

Persons
sent by the Government of any sovereign power may stay
for varying periods up to fourteen (14) days in one calendar
year

Diplomatic
and Official Passport Holders require the following:

National passport (valid for a minimum of six (6) months
with valid reentry visa to the United States of America
or for intended destination on departing Jamaica

Note
Verbale from Diplomatic or Consular Mission to which
applicant is attached, stating in detail, purpose and
length of visit (visas are issues gatis)